When is the best time to visit Panama?

The best time to visit Panama is between January and mid-April, which is the driest part of the year in this tropical country.

If you’re not bothered by a bit of rain, consider travel during the rest of the year. These times can offer great value and allow you to experience several well-loved Panamanian events and festivals.

Temperatures remain at a fairly constant high throughout the year, staying at an average of 30C. On the Caribbean coast, there are short, heavy bursts of rain almost daily, while the Pacific coast has a pronounced wet season from May to November.

Speak to someone who's been there

While Panama’s best weather occurs between January and March, I prefer to visit in November and early December. For me, they’re the most enjoyable months: the rainforests are at peak lushness, there are fewer foreign visitors, and some lively national celebrations are taking place.

Month-by-month guide to travelling in Panama

Visiting Panama in January - March

With plenty of sun and only rare showers, January to March is a popular time to travel in Panama, with visitors from around the world descending on the country (so it’s best to plan your trip well in advance). Minimal rains will also give you excellent visibility if you wish to snorkel or dive.

Events & Festivals

The town of Boquete in western Panama holds its annual Feria de la Flores y del Café (Flower and Coffee Festival) in mid-January, showcasing the region’s produce and traditional dancing

Costumes, music and decorated floats parade through towns across the country during March’s carnival

The Panama Jazz Festival, held each January in Panama City, is quickly becoming one of the best of its kind in Latin America

Visiting Panama in April

April is a midpoint between Panama’s busy dry season and the less popular, rainier green season. Temperatures and humidity begin to rise, but this month also offers the opportunity to experience the country through the eyes of a local at several major festivals. Traffic can be busy, and availability can still be limited for some areas, so some forward planning is required.

Events & Festivals

Boquete once more shows off its flora with its Feria de las Orquídeas (Orchid Festival) in mid-April

Easter is an important national holiday in Panama, celebrated with processions, services and feasting throughout the country

Visiting Panama in May - August

From May to August, the tropical rains begin in earnest. This doesn’t always deter visitors, with many North Americans and Europeans choosing to visit Panama during their summertime. While you can expect typically short, tropical thunderstorms during this period, adrenaline-seekers can take advantage: heavier rains swell the rivers and create excellent conditions for rafting.

Events & Festivals

The small city of Chitré and Los Santos Province celebrate Corpus Christi, and Los Santos’s idiosyncratic celebrations include costumed dancers dressed as ‘diablicos sucios’ (‘dirty devils’), a tradition dating back to colonial times

Visiting Panama in September - November

To experience Panama with as few visitors as possible, this is the time to go. If you accept rain as an eventuality, you’ll be able to witness a number of festivals, culminating with three riotous Independence Day celebrations in November. Travel conditions are only for the hardy, with roads becoming muddy and sometimes closed for repairs due to strong thunderstorms.

Events & Festivals

The area of Bocas del Toro celebrates its fishing heritage with the Feria del Mar (Festival of the Sea) in mid-September

The 3rd, 4th and 28th November are all celebrated as national Independence Days, and see huge parties throughout the country

Visiting Panama in December

At the year’s end, the rains give way to bright sunshine throughout most of the country. This can be one of the most rewarding times of year to visit, though visitor numbers start to pick up again leading into Christmas and New Year’s Eve. We advise avoiding the coastal beaches of Bocas del Toro, which experience unusually heavy rains in December.

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